Diversity in broadcasting as an enabler of capabilities: The case of Palestinian-Israeli women on public and commercial radio and television

The Capability ‘To Be Secure’: Media Coverage of African Asylum Seekers During Covid-19 in Israel

“…Indeed, rarely are the communication environments of asylum seekers convivial, yet social intervention communications can ‘challenge exclusionary political structures and power imbalances’ ( Ong and Rovisco 2019 : 142), thus reflecting their endurance and contribute to their well-being. Concurringly, media can play a central role in hindering or promoting people’s security through different actions such as stigmatizing, alienating or highlighting imminent threats to the group ( Shomron and Schejter 2020 a, 2020 b). As the stakes rise during a crisis such as the Covid-19 pandemic, the media’s role could become even more important ( Shomron 2020 ).…”

“…The mass media serves as a vital resource in society as it facilitates important capabilities integral to people’s well-being and quality of life ( Couldry 2019 ; Garnham 1997 ; Hesmondhalgh 2017 ; Jacobson 2016 ). The most important of these capabilities is the media’s ability to advocate for people ‘to be secure’, thus protecting their life, quality of life, and rights ( Shomron and Schejter 2020 a, 2020 b). Its importance stems from the value of preserving life itself and a dignified existence ( Nussbaum 2011 ).…”

“…Its importance stems from the value of preserving life itself and a dignified existence ( Nussbaum 2011 ). However, while the media can advocate security, it can also hinder people’s security through negative coverage, stigma, and exclusion ( Shomron and Schejter 2020 a, 2020 b). By applying the capabilities approach—a rights-based approach—to the mass media, the question changes from what the media can do, to what the media should do.…”

“…By analysing the media coverage of African asylum seekers in Israel, this study aims to understand whether the Israeli media is advocating or hindering asylum seekers capability ‘to be secure’. The positive advocation represents the fair distribution of the media resource in society ( Shomron and Schejter 2020 a, 2020 b). Though this is of importance in regular times, it is of even higher salience during a crisis such as the Covid-19 pandemic, as the quality of life and life itself, take on greater prominence especially to the weakest segments of society.…”

Celebrity Politicians as Health-Promoting Role Models in the Media: the Cases of Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump, and Benjamin Netanyahu

“…Clearly then, the importance of role models in the media is apparent: by amplifying the influences of role models, the media presents many individuals with the social models attainable and desirable for them, influencing their personal advancement in life (Bandura 2003). This influence consists of what individuals perceive they can or should do (Morgenroth et al 2015), affecting the opportunities enabled to each individual in society (Shomron and Schejter 2020;Hesmondhalgh 2018). For example, "bad" role models in the media can negatively influence the opportunities of teenagers (Jackson and Vares 2015), and the lack of role models can negatively influence the opportunities of individuals to advance professionally (Shomron and Schejter 2020).…”